🎓 OEDIPUS REX STUDY GUIDE

Oedipus Rex

A tragic play written by Sophocles around 429 BCE, it tells the story of Oedipus, King of Thebes, who unknowingly fulfills a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother.

Sophocles

One of the three great Greek tragedians (along with Aeschylus and Euripides). Known for deep character development and moral complexity.

Purpose of the Play

To explore fate vs. free will, self-discovery, pride, and the limits of human knowledge. It reflects Greek beliefs in prophecy and the gods' control over human destiny.

Themes in Oedipus Rex

Fate vs. free will, the search for truth, hubris (pride), guilt and innocence, sight vs. blindness (literal and metaphorical).

Origins of Drama

Greek drama originated from religious festivals honoring Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, and theater.

Where Were Plays Performed?

In open-air amphitheaters carved into hillsides, most famous: Theatre of Dionysus in Athens.

Theater Structure

Theatron: Seating area for the audience; Orchestra: Circular space for the chorus to dance and sing; Skene: Stage building for scenery and actor entrances/exits; Parodos: Side passageways for actors and chorus; Proskenion: Stage area in front of the skene.

Types of Plays

Tragedy: Serious, moral themes, downfall of noble heroes; Comedy: Satirical, political or social commentary; Satyr Play: Comic relief plays featuring rude humor and mythical creatures.

Performance Details

All actors were male; wore masks to show emotions/gender/roles; wore cothurni (high platform shoes) to appear larger; chorus provided narration, reflections, and moral commentary.

Phoibos Apollo

God of prophecy, healing, music, and light.

Helios

God and personification of the sun.

Pallas Athena

Goddess of wisdom and war.

Dionysus

God of wine and theater; honored in dramatic festivals.

Zeus

King of the gods; ruler of Olympus.

Delphi

Sacred site of Apollo's oracle; key location in Greek prophecy.

The Oracle

Priestess at Delphi who delivers prophecies.

The Furies

Avenging spirits of justice, especially familial murder.

Pythian Hearth

Sacred place in Apollo's temple; associated with truth.

Kyllene

Mountain associated with Hermes, but appears in mythic geography.

Oedipus

Tragic hero, King of Thebes, determined to uncover the truth of his birth.

Laios

Former King of Thebes, father of Oedipus, murdered by his son.

Jocasta

Queen of Thebes, wife and mother of Oedipus.

Polybus

King of Corinth, adoptive father of Oedipus.

Merope

Queen of Corinth, adoptive mother of Oedipus.

Creon

Jocasta's brother, represents reason and loyalty.

Teiresias

Blind prophet who knows Oedipus's fate.

Antigone

Daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta.

Ismene

Oedipus's younger daughter.

The Shepherd

Witness who reveals the truth about Oedipus's birth.

A Priest

Appeals to Oedipus to save Thebes from the plague.

First Messenger

Brings news of Polybus's death; reveals Oedipus's adoption.

Second Messenger

Reports Jocasta's suicide and Oedipus's self-blinding.

Choragos (Chorus Leader)

Represents Theban citizens; offers reflection and commentary.

Prologue

Opening scene; introduces the problem (plague in Thebes).

Parodos

Chorus's entrance song.

Episodes

Main scenes of dialogue between characters.

Stasimon (Odes)

Choral songs that reflect on the episode.

Exodos

Final scene and departure of characters.

Satyr Play

Short comedic play performed after a trilogy of tragedies.

Orchestra

Performance space for chorus and actors.

Skene

Stage building for backdrops and entrances.

Masks

Used for character portrayal, emotion, and amplification.

Cothurni

Tall shoes worn to add height and presence.

Hamartia

A tragic flaw or error in judgment.

Hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence.

Katharsis

Emotional purging or cleansing experienced by the audience.

Anagnorisis

Moment of recognition or revelation (e.g., Oedipus learning the truth).

Peripeteia

Reversal of fortune; a turning point in the plot.

Polis

The city-state; setting and symbol of civic life.

Ethos

Character or guiding beliefs; moral character of a speaker.

Daimon

Spiritual force or divine will influencing fate.

Sophrosune

Self-restraint, balance, moderation.

Enkrateia

Self-control or mastery over desires.

Dike

Justice or moral order.

Megalopsychos

A person of great soul; ideal noble character in tragedy.

Muthos

The plot or structure of a tragedy.

Tragic Flaw

A personal flaw that leads to a character's downfall.

Robert Fitzgerald

Renowned translator of Oedipus Rex, brought accessibility to modern audiences.

Aristotle

Praised Oedipus Rex as the model tragedy in Poetics; discussed hamartia, peripeteia, and katharsis.

Sigmund Freud

Developed the Oedipus Complex theory, linking the play to subconscious desires.

E.R. Dodds

Emphasized irrational forces and psychological depth in tragedy.

A.E. Haigh

Focused on dramatic structure and historical context of Greek theater.